Gerry Adams
Ceist:
245. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the community policing unit in Dundalk has a dedicated vehicle; if this unit had a bus at its disposal; if so, the reason it does not have one now; and the steps being taken to rectify the matter. [31957/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
The Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner who is primarily responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, including the fleet. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 245 for answer on 12 July 2018 regarding vehicles available to the community policing unit in Dundalk.
As the Deputy will recall, the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact him again when the information was to hand.
The Deputy will be aware that there has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. The Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet, in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. In total, in the period 2013 to 2017, almost €44 million has been invested in the Garda fleet, with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible, and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
As the Deputy will appreciate decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I understand that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure their optimal use. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations as required by operational requirements.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Louth Divisional fleet includes a community policing minibus currently assigned to Drogheda District. I am further informed that this bus can be utilised by the Dundalk Community Policing Unit as required.
The vehicles assigned to the Louth Division as at 28 September 2018 are outlined in the following table.
|
Cars
|
Vans
|
Motorcycles
|
4x4
|
Others
|
Total
|
|
33
|
10
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
49
|
I trust this information is of assistance.
